The Experts' Forum is the Institute's advisory body. Its principle function is to provide expertise knowledge in the field of gender equality.
It is composed of members from competent bodies specialised in gender equality issues from every Member State of the European Union. Each country has both a member and an alternate and there are two members designated by the European Parliament, as well as three members designated by the European Commission and representing interested parties at the European level, with one representative from:
- an appropriate non-governmental organisation at Community level which has a legitimate interest in contributing to the fight against discrimination on grounds of sex and the promotion of gender equality;
- employers' organisations at Community level; and
- workers' organisations at Community level.
The Member States and the Commission aim to achieve a balanced representation between men and women in the Experts' Forum.
Members are designated for a period of three years.